Goose Season

[Ruster 9]

So goose season, this will be my first so a few questions:

 

What cartridges are best in 12g?

 

My range of guns can shoot anything so i was wondering what i should stock up on.

 

Is there a happy medium between a cartridge for goose and duck or do i need to buy separate ammo for each?

 

The main place i can shoot them is not near water so when I'm not shooting them over water do i still need to use steel shot?

 

Thats all i can think off for now i have been told anything from number 4 up to super magnum bb but tbh any good tips for hunting these beasties is welcome

[SportingShooter 0]

You need non-toxic shot wherever you shoot wildfowl,

 

Personally, I use 3" steel No.1s for Geese on the marsh and 3" No.3s inland over decoys,

 

No.3s are alright in steel for larger Ducks, Teal you may need to swap down a size.

[charlie caller 3,654]

Steel no 3s are good for duck and geese, steel is good when driven fast, the new Eley lightning steel at 1650fps looks a good one to try if you can get it, if your pocket will stretch to it tungsten matrix, and heavy shot are both superb, and I have killed some good high duck and geese with it, and cant tell any difference between these and lead, but they are hard on the wallet.

[Ruster 9]

Cool thanks for the advise, seems like steel number 3 it is then.

 

Any reason why it has to be steel? I figured over water it was to stop pollution of the pond, but seems strange you have to use steel even when far enough away there is no chance of shot hitting water

[SportingShooter 0]

I presume it's in case the bird is not killed and carries that shot to the marsh or if you're shooting them inland, they may graze the lead from the field.

[Ruster 9]

I was at my LGS today to get some ammo and look at a browning A5 so i asked the staff member and he said if there is no chance of the shot going to the water i.e we are 5-6 fields away from the water then it doesn't matter what shot you use

[SportingShooter 0]

Taken direct from BASC,

 

"

Restrictions on lead shot

Since Westminster signed the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) (November 1999) it is binding throughout the UK, but its implementation is a matter for the devolved governments. In England the lead shot regulations ban the use of lead shot over all foreshore, over specified SSSIs, and for the shooting of all ducks and geese, coot and moorhen – wherever they occur. The Welsh Assembly introduced similar regulations in September 2002. Scotland’s regulations came into force at the end of March 2005 and Northern Ireland came into force in September 2009.

England

In England the lead shot regulations ban the use of lead shot over all foreshore, over specified SSSIs, and for the shooting of all ducks and geese, coot and moorhen, wherever they occur. Click the links below for the English regulations.

Environment Protection (Restrictions on Use of Lead Shot) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003

The Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002

The Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999

Wales

In Wales the lead shot regulations are based closely on the English approach. Click the link below for the Welsh regulations.

The Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (Wales) Regulations 2002

Scotland

In Scotland the lead shot regulations are based around the RAMSAR definition of wetlands. Click the link below for the Scottish regulations.

The Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (Scotland) (No.2) Regulations 2004

Click the link below for a practical guide on how the law works in Scotland.

A Practical Guide to the Lead Shot Regulations in Scotland -

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland the lead shot regulations are based on the Scottish approach and prohibit the use of lead shot on or over any area of wetland for any shooting activity. Wetlands are defined as, regardless of size, any areas of foreshore, marsh, fen, peatland with standing water, regularly or seasonally flooded fields, and other water sources wheter they be natural or man-made, static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt. Click the link below for the Northern Ireland regulations.

The Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009"

[charlie caller 3,654]

What an arse he is then, it really does piss me off when know it alls in gunshops give out poor advice, that could have lost you your sgc, only in Scotland is that advice applicable, in England and Wales, ALL wildfowl and waders must be shot with none toxic shot, whatever the location, tell him he needs to know what he is talking about before dishing out advice, seriously he could have lost you your ticket if you had followed his advice.